Sufjan Stevens Comes Out & Dedicates Album To Late Partner

Singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens released Javelin today along with an Instagram post where he came out by talking about the inspiration behind the new album.

The album, which Pitchfork gave an 8.6, was described as Stevens “exploring his ever-expanding definition of ‘love.” The new project was inspired by the death of his partner Evans Richardson earlier this year.

“This album is dedicated to the light of my life, my beloved partner and best friend Evans Richardson, who passed away in April,” the “Mystery of Love” singer wrote on Instagram. “He was an absolute gem of a person, full of life, love, laughter, curiosity, integrity, and joy. He was one of those rare and beautiful ones you find only once in a lifetime—precious, impeccable, and absolutely exceptional in every way.”

While Stevens has always made inclusive music that many queer fans identified with, until now he has never been explicit about his own sexuality. The singer, who has released nine studio albums and has been nominated for both Grammys and Oscars, went on to talk about how love is worth it even when things get hard.

“I know relationships can be very difficult sometimes, but it’s always worth it to put in the hard work and care for the ones you love, especially the beautiful ones, who are few and far between,” he continued. “If you happen to find that kind of love, hold it close, hold it tight, savor it, tend to it, and give it everything you’ve got, especially in times of trouble.”

He went on to give his followers some advice about life and love that is clearly a response to losing his partner. “Be kind, be strong, be patient, be forgiving, be vigorous, be wise, and be yourself,” he wrote. “Live every day as if it is your last, with fullness and grace, with reverence and love, with gratitude and joy. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Sufjan Stevens' album Javelin is now available on all music streaming platforms.